Chin strap

ABSTRACT

AN ADJUSTABLE CHIN STRAP FOR ORTHODONTIC AND COSMETIC USE, THE CHIN STRAP COMPRISING A THERMOFORMABLE PLASTIC CUP FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH THE CHIN OF THE WEARER. THE CUP IS RELATIVELY RIGID, HAVING INTEGRAL FLEXIBLE STRAPS EXTENDING FROM ITS ENDS FOR CONNECTION TO ADJUSTABLE ELASTIC TRACTION   BANDS. THESE BANDS INTERCONNECT THE CUP STRAPS WITH A HEADGEAR ADAPTED TO BE WORN ON THE HEAD.

March 23, 1971 5. DE WOSKIN CHIN STRAP Filed May 1, 1968 United States Patent cc- 3,572,329 CHIN STRAP Irvin S. De Woskin, St. Louis, Mo., assignor to Orthoband Company, Inc., St. Louis, Mo. Filed May 1, 1968, Ser. No. 725,720 Int. Cl. A61f 5/08 US. Cl. 128--76 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An adjustable chin strap for orthodontic and cosmetic use, the chin strap comprising a thermoformable plastic cup for engagement with the chin of the wearer. The cup is relatively rigid, having integral flexible straps extending from its ends for connection to adjustable elastic traction bands. These bands interconnect the cup straps with a headgear adapted to be worn on the head.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to chin straps, and particularly to an adjustable chin strap for orthodontic and cosmetic purposes.

Chin straps are used in orthodontics to correct jaw movements and occlusions, particularly class three malocclusions, and are also used as an isometric face muscle exerciser to tone up physiognomies. Heretofore such devices have generally comprised a rigid cup of steel or the like having metal clips or rivets at its ends for attachment of rubber bands connected to a headgear. Although such chin straps have generally served the purpose, they are relatively uncomfortable to wear and my cause skin irritation due to projection of the rivets or metal chips attaching the steel cup to the rubber bands, and also due to the presence of buckles or similar adjusting devices on these bands or on the headgear.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Among the several objects of the present invention may be noted the provision of an improved chin strap of the class above described which is comfortable to wear and non-irritating to the skin; the provision of such a chin strap in which projections caused by metal clips, rivets, buckles, etc. on the chin cup and straps are eliminated so that a fiat, smooth surface is provided along the sides of the face of the wearer; the provision of a chin strap as above described in which the tractive force applied to the chin may be readily varied; the provision of a chin strap of the class above described in which the chin cup is held firmly against movement on the chin; and the provision of such a chin strap which is economical to manufacture.

In general, a chin strap of this invention comprises a cup for engagement with the chin of the wearer, the cup comprising a thermoformable sheet plastic material having a central section and integral strap portions extending from the ends of the central section. The central section of the cup is molded to cup-shape conforming to the contour of the chin and is relatively rigid while the strap portions are relatively flexible. A headgear, adapted to be worn on the head, is interconnected with the straps of the cup by elastic traction means. Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front elevation illustrating a chin strap of this invention as it is worn on the head;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective of the chin strap of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective of the chin cup per se; and

3,572,329 Patented Mar. 23, 1971 FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragment of the chin strap of FIG. 1.

Corresponding reference characters indicate correspond ing parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings, there is indicated at 1 a chin strap for use in orthodontics to correct jaw movements and occlusions, particularly class three malocclusions, and for use as an isometric face exerciser to tone up physiognomies. In general, the chin strap 1 comprises a vacuum formed plastic chin cup 3 having integral side straps 5 at its ends, a headgear 7 adapted to be worn on the head, and elastic traction means 9 interconnecting the headgear 7 and the straps 5 of the cup 3.

The chin cup 3 (FIGS. 3 and 4) comprises a sheet of thermoformable plastic material, such as polystyrene, poly-vinyl acetate, polyvinyl chloride, or copolymers thereof, vacuum formed to cup-shape conforming to the contour of the chin. The cup has a relatively wide transversely and longitudinally curved central section 11 which is relatively rigid for retaining its cup configuration. The integral straps 5 extend from the ends of the central section 11 of the cup. These straps are relatively long and narrow and flexible. The ends of the straps 5 opposite the cup 3 are folded over for reinforcement for receiving buttons 13, as will appear. A sponge or foam rubber lining 15 is bonded to the interior of the cup 3 by a pressure sensitive adhesive for providing a soft, comfortable surface for engagement with the chin. The lining 15 can be replaced when desired by adhering a fresh lining to the adhesive.

The headgear 7 (FIGS. 1-3) is comprised of a first strap 19 adapted to be positioned extending around the back of the head from one side of the head to the other. In general, this strap 19, which may be referred to as the back strap of the headgear, is of such length as to extend around the back of the head (the occiput) from ear to car. A second strap 21 is secured at its ends to the ends of the back strap 19 by fasteners 23 and is adapted to be positioned extending transversely over the top of the head from one side of the head to the other. This strap 21, which may be referred to as the overhead strap, is of such length as to extend over the head from ear to ear. A third strap 25 connects the center of the back strap 19 and the center of the overhead strap 21. The upper end of this connecting strap 25 is fastened to the overhead strap 21 by means of stitching or the like, as indicated at 27. At its lower and rearward end, the connecting strap 25 has a series of apertures 29. The back strap 19 has an aperture at its center and the lower rearward end of the connecting strap 25 is removably connected to the center of the back strap 19 by means of a press-fit fastener 31 extending through the hole in the back strap and through one of the holes 29 in the connecting strap. A tab 33 is secured between straps 19 and 21 by the fastener 23, the tab having a button 35 at its free end. The tab 33 and straps 19 and 21 are pivotal on fastener 23 for adjusting the headgear to fit the head of the wearer. Straps 19, 21 and 25 and tab 33 may be made of any flexible, relatively non-stretchable material, such as plastic, cloth or leather.

The elastic traction means 9 (FIG. 5) interconnect the headgear 7 and the chin cup straps 5. Each means comprises a pair of elastic bands 37 having clasps 39 at their forward ends for connection to the buttons 13 On the ends of the cup straps 5. The other end of each elastic strap 37 is looped through a clasp 41 and is secured to itself by a cinch type clamp 43 for adjusting the length of the strap to vary the tractive force applied to the chin cup.

3 The clasp 41 attaches to the button 35 on the tab 33 of the headgear.

The chin strap 1 is adapted to be worn as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 with the overhead strap 21 extending over the top of the head, the back strap 19 extending around the occiput, and the connecting strap 25 extending in frontto-back direction over the top of the head from the center of the overhead strap 21 to the center of the back strap 19. The length of strap 25 is adjustable by insertion of fastener 31 through one of the holes 29- for adjusting the headgear to assume the contour of the head of the wearer so as to stabilize the position of the cup 3 on the chin.

The clasps 39 and 41 on the ends of the elastic straps 37 are pivotal on the buttons 13 and 35 on the cup straps 5 and tabs 33, respectively, and the straps 19 and 21 and tab 33 are pivotally connected by fastener 23, thereby providing a comfortable and stable fit for the chin cup on the chin. Since the cup 3 is preformed to the contour of the chin and is lined on the inside with the sponge rubber 13, the chin cup may be comfortably worn for extended periods of time without irritation. Similarly, since the cup straps 5 are integral with the chin cup 11, the usual rivets, metal clips, etc. normally connecting these straps to the chin cup are eliminated. Hence, a smooth and continuous one-piece assembly is provided for comfort and durability. The tractive force applied to the chin cup may be readily adjusted by adjusting the lengths of the elastic straps 37 with the clamps 43, the tractive force being increased by shortening the elastic straps and being decreased by lengthening the straps.

In View of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the present invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As various changes could be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. A chin strap comprising a cup for engagement with the chin of the wearer, said cup being formed of a thermoformable sheet plastic material having a central section with integral strap portions of said sheet plastic material extending from its ends, said central section being molded to cup-shape conforming to the contour of the chin and being relatively rigid, said strap portions being relatively flexible and having their free ends folded over to provide reinforced end portions therefor; buttons secured to said reinforced end portions, a headgear adapted to be worn on the head, and elastic traction means intercon' necting said headgear and said buttons on said end portions of the straps of the cup.

2. A chin strap as set forth in claim 1 wherein said elastic traction means is adjustable to vary the tractive force applied to the chin cup.

3. A chin strap as set forth in claim 2 wherein said traction means comprises a pair of elastic bands, the

lengths of which are adjustable to vary the tractive force.

4. A chin strap as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cup is vacuum formed having transverse and longitudinal curvature, and comprising a liner of cushion material bonded to the inside chin engaging surface of said cup.

5. A chin strap as set forth in claim 1 wherein said headgear comprises an overhead strap adapted to extend over the top of the head, a back strap adapted to extend around the back of the head, and a connecting strap extending in front-to-back direction over the top of the head from the overhead strap to the back strap.

6. A chin strap as set forth in claim 5 wherein said elastic traction means comprises a pair of elastic bands pivotally connected at one of their ends to said headgear and at their other ends to said buttons.

7. A chin strap as set forth in claim 6 wherein the lengths of said elastic bands are adjustable to vary the tractive force applied to said chin cup.

8. A chin strap as set forth in claim 7 wherein said overhead strap is pivotally connected to said back strap.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,113,732 10/1914 Archibald 128164 1,372,089 3/1921 Rostow 128-76 1,587,558 6/1926 Sheflield 128--76X 2,325,300 7/1943 Bisnoff 12887 2,507,617 5/1950 Swendiman 12889 3,312,217 4/1967 McKinstry 128l64X 2,968,097 1/1961 De Woskin 32-14 3,187,342 6/1965 Aileo 23 RICHARD A. GAUDET, Primary Examiner 0 J. YASKO, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 128164; 2- 3 

